What do a fiery Sichuan stir-fry and a giant panda have in common? Both hail from the same corner of China, and both lend their names to Kung Pao Panda, one of Bali's most exciting new Chinese restaurants, now open on Jalan Padma in Legian.
That playful spirit greets guests at the door. Red paper lanterns glow between exposed brick pillars, and scarlet banners bearing 福, the Chinese character for good fortune, brighten the terracotta walls. Feeling lucky yet? A little card on each table sums up the house rules: good food, better people.
The kitchen keeps its side of the bargain, starting with the dish behind half the name. The Kung Pao Prawn sees plump king prawns wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze. The Beef Hotplate arrives still sizzling, its tender slices coated in a rich, aromatic sauce. To share, there is Siu Mai, the open-topped steamed dumplings of dim sum fame, usually gone within minutes.
All that heat calls for something cool. Why settle for one cocktail when a paddle brings four? The Classic Cocktail Paddle pairs a creamy Piña Colada with a crisp Cosmopolitan, then adds a salt-rimmed Margarita and an icy Strawberry Daiquiri. The Summer Lovin' Beach Paddle leans fruitier, starring a bittersweet Aperol Spritz and a Japanese Slipper, the vivid green mix of melon liqueur and lemon.
There is still room for something sweet. The cake cups are baked daily by the in-house pastry chef, with flavours ranging from Rainbow Cake to Lemon Meringue. Is it acceptable to drop by for dessert alone? The team insists it is. You are, after all, on holiday.
